‘Tis the season to care and share. I care, so I’m going to share a media release about an opportunity to demonstrate what a caring community Regina is. I’ve pasted the release below:

‘ Tis the season to care, so why not do something nice for a caregiver in your life – and tell the rest of Canada about it? The more Regina residents who share their do-good stories, the greater the chance of landing the city in top spot as the most caring community in Canada.

It’s all part of a promotion launched this week by Canada Cares, a first-of-its-kind program that supports and recognizes caregivers of all kinds across the country.

“Canada Cares is inviting Canadians in communities from coast to coast to take the caregiving challenge and celebrate the season by sharing compassionate holiday stories with fellow Canadians,” said Caroline Tapp-McDougall, vice president at Toronto-based healthcare publisher BCS Group and the brainchild behind Canada Cares.

What’s more, every person who participates in the challenge – by submitting a story, photo or video on the Canada Cares website (www.canadacares.org) – will be entered into a draw to win one of thousands of dollars worth of prizes, from a day at the spa and gift cards to an accessible vehicle.

“Whatever kindness you’re doing for a caregiver this holiday, we want to hear about it, whether it be baking cookies for a friend who’s caring for her mother or shopping for someone who has a relative in the hospital, to driving a neighbour around, shoveling a walkway, helping with holiday decorations, or doing errands for the parents of a child with special needs,” Tapp-McDougall explained.

Other acts of kindness can be as simple as calling someone to show your support, dropping off a card of thanks, or letting nursing or retirement home staff members know what a great job they’re doing, she said.

“What better way for Regina residents to set an example for the rest of Canada by showing your support for family and professional caregivers, and celebrating caregiving at holiday time?” she suggests.

Following studies that show the number of caregivers in Canada is on the rise – with current estimates pegged at upwards of five million and one in four Canadians identified as a family caregiver – there is a dire need to recognize and support our country’s caregivers, according to Canada Cares.

Canada Cares is a not-for-profit program which involves a virtual community, grassroots events, and national and regional caregiver awards. It has been created through a unique partnership between healthcare organizations and businesses across the country, including Canadian Red Cross, Saint Elizabeth Health Care, Kohler Canada, MV-1 Canada, Zoomer Wireless, Invacare Corporation, Stroke Recovery Canada, We Care Home Health Services, Lifestage Care, Spectrum Health Care, Ability Online, Canadian Caregiver Coalition, Alzheimer Society of Toronto, Caregiving Matters, Brain Injury Association of Canada and many others.

For a list of tips on how you can show kindness to a caregiver this season, or to share your caregiving story, visit www.canadacares.org. Submissions of a maximum of 50 words must be received by January 15, 2013.

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